Simulated Navigation Based on Observed Gradients of Atmospheric Trace Gases (Models on Pigeon Homing, Part 3)

Wallraff, Hans Georg

doi:10.1006/jtbi.2000.2052

Cited by 36 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…The gas chromatography of these samples of air identified a number of volatile organic compounds and revealed that they are distributed along fairly stable spatial gradients in the atmosphere. With a simulation experiment, Wallraff showed that stable ratios, rather than the absolute concentrations, of at least three different volatile compounds are sufficient to provide suitable information to allow virtual pigeons to display a level of homeward orientation comparable to that experimentally observed (Wallraff, 2000). It is worth noting that such a model would theoretically allow also long-distance navigation well beyond a few hundred kilometres.…”

Section: The Structure Of the Olfactory Mapmentioning

confidence: 89%

Forty years of olfactory navigation in birds

Gagliardo

2013

Journal of Experimental Biology

159

125

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SummaryForty years ago, Papi and colleagues discovered that anosmic pigeons cannot find their way home when released at unfamiliar locations. They explained this phenomenon by developing the olfactory navigation hypothesis: pigeons at the home loft learn the odours carried by the winds in association with wind direction; once at the release site, they determine the direction of displacement on the basis of the odours perceived locally and orient homeward. In addition to the old classical experiments, new GPS tracking data and observations on the activation of the olfactory system in displaced pigeons have provided further evidence for the specific role of olfactory cues in pigeon navigation. Although it is not known which odours the birds might rely on for navigation, it has been shown that volatile organic compounds in the atmosphere are distributed as fairly stable gradients to allow environmental odour-based navigation. The investigation of the potential role of olfactory cues for navigation in wild birds is still at an early stage; however, the evidence collected so far suggests that olfactory navigation might be a widespread mechanism in avian species.

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Section: The Structure Of the Olfactory Mapmentioning

confidence: 89%

Forty years of olfactory navigation in birds

Gagliardo

2013

Journal of Experimental Biology

159

125

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“…The ontogenetic model proposes that in an early phase, young pigeons use a routereversal strategy based on an external reference (Wiltschko 1983(Wiltschko , 1997Wiltschko 1984, 2000) similar to strategies described for social insects (Wehner et al 1996). A magnetic compass might help homing pigeons to record the direction of displacement, which, by reversing, gives the homeward direction (Wiltschko 1983(Wiltschko , 1997Wiltschko and Wiltschko 1984, 2000, 2003. Alternatively, the odour model suggests that pigeons rely on an olfactory map of atmospheric compounds.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Loft features reveal the functioning of the young pigeon’s navigational system

Jorge¹,

Silva²,

Vicente³

2007

Naturwissenschaften

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It is thought that young homing pigeons are able to use information acquired en route for their initial homeward orientation. However, the cues involved and mechanisms utilised are under discussion. Blocking light-dependent route-specific information during the first leg of an outward journey detour, together with analysis of pigeons that were raised under different loft conditions, allowed us to correctly evaluate the functioning of this mechanism and, more generally, the navigational map of birds. Pigeons from the same stock were raised and kept in two different lofts. The birds in the experimental groups were transported to the release sites via detours, and light-dependent information was denied during the first half of the outward journey (no compass information was available). Control birds were transported by the most direct route and had access to all available information. In general, the results showed that the low-loft birds preferred to use magnetic compass cues, whereas the high-loft birds preferred to use navigational map cues to collect information of the first part of the outward journey. The impairments observed in the homing performances of the experimental groups highlight the reliability of information collected inside the map area. Relevant to an understanding of the route-reversal mechanism was the evidence that this mechanism is able to function in the absence of compass information (birds raised in a wind-exposed loft show a detour effect). In systems where directional information could be provided by multiple sources, processing and extracting accurate course trajectories through a common mechanism may prove more efficient and reliable.

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“…According to the hypothesis of a mosaic map, chemical compounds would provide site-specific information patching the territory into subregions characterised by relatively stable fragrances (Papi et al 1972). More recently it has been shown that chemical compounds can distribute over long-range gradients in the atmosphere, and that the ratios between the considered compounds were stable enough to provide positional information (gradient map) (Wallraff 2000). However, both hypothesised models would allow the pigeons to determine only the direction of displacement.…”

Section: Admentioning

confidence: 98%

Navigating Through an Asymmetrical Brain: Lateralisation and Homing in Pigeon

Pecchia

Gagliardo

Filannino

et al. 2012

Behavioral Lateralization in Vertebrates

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The ability of homing pigeons to find their way back home after displacement has fascinated researchers for more than a century. Pigeons rely on a map-and-compass system to navigate, especially when released from an unfamiliar site. Olfactory cues and the sun's azimuth provide, respectively, primarily a navigational map and compass information to accomplish this task. Magnetic cues provide subsidiary compass information. In addition, pigeons can also rely on a spatial representation of the visual landmarks when navigating over familiar terrains. The neural structures underlying these capabilities have been thoroughly investigated. Taking advantage of the neuroanatomical organisation of the avian brain, several studies have addressed lateralisation (i.e. the functional contribution of the left and the right sides of the brain) of homing behaviour. A survey of the most recent contribution to this topic will be presented, with particular attention to the olfactory system, the visual system and the hippocampus.

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Simulated Navigation Based on Observed Gradients of Atmospheric Trace Gases (Models on Pigeon Homing, Part 3)

Cited by 36 publications

References 30 publications

Forty years of olfactory navigation in birds

Forty years of olfactory navigation in birds

Loft features reveal the functioning of the young pigeon’s navigational system

Navigating Through an Asymmetrical Brain: Lateralisation and Homing in Pigeon

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